I saw a post on a worm mailing list a while ago:
I am doing a community project for my college and am starting worm composting bins at a local elementary school in Boulder. I am trying to get a hold of enough worms for 4 bins, about 2 feet x 1 foot (10 gallons). Does anyone know where I can get a hold of enough worms for this project, and possibly as a donation to the school?
What to do? Of course, she could buy the red worms from a local source, but she’s trying to do this for a school on a shoestring budget. I thought the following options would be the best way to acquire several pounds of worms for a community project around Boulder, Colorado.
- Contact local Colorado producers and see if they can give you a great deal, or perhaps donate them. I don’t know any big producers in Boulder. Boulder Compost Company used to do this, but they shut down a bit ago. You could try contacting them and seeing if they know anyone else around here.
- Another alternative would calling Growing Gardens and seeing if they can spare some worms. I know they have a largish bin; not sure how many surplus worms they have.
- I’d also contact Flatirons Elementary School here in Boulder. It looks like they have some kind of worm bin program [pdf] and might be willing to share.
- And, finally, it would be worth contacting Eco-cycle. They do worm composting and might have some extra for donation.
So, the general path I’d recommend if you need pounds of worms for a non profit would be:
- Try worm farmers for discount/donation
- Find other organizations that have worms (community gardens, recycling centers, schools) and see what they did and if they have any to spare
- Pay for some worms and start the project on a smaller basis than you may have wanted
What would you recommend?
PS She ended up getting a donation from a woman in Loveland for all her needs.
January 13th, 2010
The Fort Collins city government has a page devoted to worm composting:
Worm composting or vermicomposting is a suitable composting option for apartment dwellers and homes with no yard space, and is also a great classroom activity. The worms stay in the bin and eat household food scraps, and the bin has no odor if properly maintained.
Everything from worm bin construction to harvesting to what to feed your worms is covered.
There is also a compost worm exchange page and a worm exchange Yahoo! group:
The Compost Worm Exchange is easy to use and provides a medium for those who want to obtain compost worms with those who have compost worms to give. The Worm Exchange also matches those who are seeking advice on vermicomposting (composting with worms) with those who have the know-how and expertise. All you have to do is ask!
Go Fort Collins!
May 12th, 2009
So, you’ve read the basics, and are looking to take the plunge? You’ve decided that you want to try home worm keeping?
Bravo!
If you’re looking for redworms to start composting with, and you want to buy locally, I’ve compiled a list of Colorado redworm suppliers.
I’ll be updating this page as I’m made aware of new sources.
Please feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you know of other Colorado suppliers.
March 25th, 2009
From their website:
After many years of selling earthworms, we have decided to stop selling them. We promoted vermicomposting as a way for people to compost if they did not have room for a backyard compost pile or a collection service was not available. We are happy to see that collection services are now available to everyone. We think the easiest, most effective way to reach zero-waste is to have your compostables collected and composted by a professional company.
More on the decision of the Boulder Compost folks to stop selling earthworms.
I am of two minds about this.
On the one hand, scale often leads to efficiency, and composting is no different than other businesses in that. And I sympathize with Eric; separating worms for sale is tedious even with the appropriate equipment.
On the other hand, worm composting is one of the ways to re-connect yourself to biological processes that folks in the USA (especially in cities) have become more and more removed from. (Gardening is another.) And I would argue that having trucks cart compostables around is less sustainable than small, on-your-patio worm composting.
Best of luck to Boulder Compost as they pursue a different path.
February 21st, 2009
Updated: Here’s the website announcement of this workshop.
Transition Boulder County is having a vermiculture workshop next week. From emails (I couldn’t find an announcment on the web):
- Cost: $25 (includes worms)
- Where: 4500 19th Street in the Boulder Meadows Community Room.
- When: Nov 13th, 7-9 pm.
- RSVP: Call 303-494-1521, or email alice@transitionbouldercounty.org.
Full Description:
Winter is coming and your hot compost pile will soon be slowing down. Hit the ground running by participating in this hands-on workshop, building your own worm bin from scratch. Learn the many benefits of indoor composting with worms.
At the end of the evening, you will have everything you need (including a supply of worms) to begin composting your kitchen scraps and turning them into rich, loamy amendment for your spring garden and potted plants.
Please register early, as class size is limited! Registration $25. Call 303-494-1521, or email alice@transitionbouldercounty.org.
November 8th, 2008
